Time recording apparatus



Oct. 4, 1945 I c. E. J. NILSON TIME RECORDING APPARATUS ll Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 20, 1944 Oct. 4, 1949. c. E. J..N|L$ON 2,433,926

TIME RECORDING APPARATUS l1 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 20, 1944 IBNENTOR BY C.E.J. Nmsow rms.

.7 gik v v Oct. 4, 1949. c. E. J. NILSON 2,483,926

TIME RECORDING APPARATUS Filed April 20, 1944 r 11 Shets-Sheet s Fig.3

Oct. 4, 1949.

c. E. J. NILSON TIME RECORDING APPARATUS ll Shgets-Sheet 4 Filed April 20, 1944 Oct. 4, 1949. c. E. J. NILSON 2,483,926

TIME RECORDING APPARATUS Filed April 20, 1944 ll Sheets-Sheet 5 Oct. 4, 1949. c. E. J. NILSON 2,483,926

TIME RECORDING APPARATUS- Filed April 20, 1944 ll Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR B C-LlNLs N *mmewhw Oct. 4, 1949. c. E. J. NILSON TIME RECORDING APPARATUS l1 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed April 20', 1944 Oct. 4, 1949.

c. E. J. NILSON 9 2,483,926

TIME RECORDING APPARATUS Filed April 20, 1944 ll Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR B C. -E.J.N\LSON I A-rrxs- Oct. 4, 1949. c. E. J. NILSON TIME RECORDING APPARATUS ll Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed April 20, 1944 AAA A Oct. 4, 1949. c. E. J. NILSON 2,483,926

TIME RECORDING APPARATUS Filed April 20, 1944 4 ll Sheets-Sheet 10 6. z. IJAZZ) as 0% Patented Oct. 4, 1949 N I TED S TATES FATE N T OFFICE Application April '20, 1944,Serial N 0. 531,975 In-SWeden May'15, 1942 2 Claims. 1

The present invention relates toan apparatus for time recording.

For-recordingtimeusedfor a certain purpose, such as time needed for theexecution of work in afactory, a clock connected to a timerecorder isgenerallyused,-whereby'the time for the commencement and the conclusion of the work may bestamped on a card, etc. The workin time accumulated is thereupon calculated on the basis of the commencing and concluding times recorded-on-the card. -This time-calculation requires close attention and occupies considerabletime. It can only be performed by a train'edstaffyregard having tobe paid to possible interruptions in work on account of'rest periods, absencefrom work or other wasted time which 'mustbe-deductedfrom theregular working hours in order to determine theeffective'working time for certain work.

The invention'hasfor an objecta time'recording device in'which the-total eifective time for a certain purpose can'be stamped direct on a card or a suitable form. According to the invention this is achieved by. employing a number'cf counters, connected with a stamping device, whereby .the counters individually "maybe "connected to and controlled .bya time indicating deviceso that thetime, for instance for diner- .ent :kinds of work, workmen or :.machinery, is

:counted in separate counters where for. eachjob the used time in hours or parts thereof is registered. When the work is finished, the counter, wherein'the time for theworkin question isaccumulate'd, can be connected tothe-recorder or 'stamp'ing deviceto which the accumulated-figure or sum will be transferred. This figure may thereupon be stamped on a cardor otherlsuitableiform. At the same time the-counter-automatically is brought to -zero position. A-device of 'this kind gives exact and reliable figures-and the above+mentioned inconvenient-time calculation is dispensed with.

A device according to the invention is designed for simultaneous time recording of a numberiof various kinds of work, .whereby it ;is'-arran'ged that thetotal of the effective timeuse'd for each work separately. in hours orparts thereohcan berecorded on a card.

In order that the invention may ;be clearly understood and readily carried intoeffect, the same will hereinafter be more fully described withlreference to the accompanyingdrawings, 1 in which:

.Fig 1 is .a diagrammatic Side :viewof an em- 55 ingtime-impulses, for example,

bodiment of the time recording apparatus according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is 'a View in perspective. showing the position of 'the counters and the transfer racks between counter and recorder;

Figs. 3-and'4 illustrate time impulse coupling by means of a key;

Fig. 5' shows time impulse switching-With a segment;

Figs. 6 to 3.2 are details of an arrangement for time impulse switching by means of time recording cards;

Figs. 13 and 14 the construction;

Fig. 15 shows for thecounters;

Figs. 16 and 17 represent the card funnel of the apparatus and related arrangements;

Fig. 18 illustrates an exemplary form of record card;

'Fig. 19 shows'an ual operation; and

Figs. 20 and 21 show details of the mechanismfor controlling the operation of the counters of Fig. 3.

The counters designated by numerals 3, 4 and -5 in 'Fig. l-may be of any number. In a factory there maybe one'orseveral for each workman. They: are provided with arrangements for receivevery minute, tenthspartof :anhour, half hour. The time may be transmitted direct from a built-in clock mechanism inthe apparatus or electrically from a master clock. The counter proceeds one step for show details forming parts of a detail of the resetting device apparatus arranged for manevery such period. The apparatus is moreover equipped with a device soconstructed that 'for each countenindividually the time impu1sesin dependent of the other countersmay be switched onan'd ofl at the commencement and conclusion 0f the time-controlled work. This makes-it possible tocountand in the counters accumulatethenumber of time'impulses, i. e. the time units: required for the execution of certain work. Bythe counters the time is indicated in hours and parts of'an hour. The apparatus may be so constructed that thecounters are visible so thatthe-timea certain workhas been going-0n may be read through a window at the front of the apparatusat any time.

The counters'm-ay'be of arbitrary construction. In-the embodiment described the counters consist as usualof anumber'of type-wheels 3, Figs. 1 and :2,;mountedon a common shaft 4, andsocalled-tenstransfer gears "5 placed between the wheels. The first wheel includes as is seen'from Figs. 3 and 12, a ratchet wheel 6, which can be operated by a driving pawl 9 connected to a str p 1 by means of a tap 8, which pawl, when the strip 1 is reciprocated in an up-and-down manner, actuates the ratchet wheel causing the CO'llnhEl to rotate one step for each such motion of the stnp.

On each strip 1 a number of driving pawls are arranged so that they can at the same time actuate all the counters placed along this strip. The strip 1 is the means which, in this embodiment, transmits the time impulses to the counters. It can be driven mechanically (by clockwork) or electrically (by an electric magnet or an electric motor) and be controlled by a time releasing device. With reference to Figs. and 21 the device for driving of strip 1 will be explained. A shait I14, mounted in the body I15 of the apparatus is provided with arms I18 in a number equal to the number of strips 1 existing in the apparatus. A groove I16 in each arm I18 is caught by a pin I11 fastened in the strip 1. The shaft I14 is further provided with another arm I13 which can, through a link I12, be made to execute a swinging movement by means of an electromagnet or the like. In the apparatus, there is a shaft IIII which is arranged to be driven with a suitable speed. An eccentric III is freely arranged on the shaft IGI and can be coupled to and rotate one revolution with the shaft by means of a connecting device Hill. The eccentric I1I is connected with the arm I13 by means of link I12. The connecting device IE8 is operated by an electromagnet I53 which receives regular electric time impulses from a main-watch. The armature I54 of the magnet thereby actuates, by means of an arm I23, an electric contact closing the electric current for a motor, so that said motor starts and brings the shaft IIII to rotate. The arm further actuates the connecting device I38, which then connects the eccentric Hi to the shaft IIII and makes it rotate one revolution. The movement of the eccentric is thereby transmitted through the link I12, the arm I13 and the shaft I14, through the arms I18 and the pins I11 to the strip 1.

Every counter has an arrangement permitting the time impulse device to be connected or disconnected from the counter involved.

In a factory department, for instance, where the apparatus is provided with a counter for each Workman, the latter, on arriving in his department, registers his presence by switching on the impulse device to his counter; on leaving the department, he registers his absence by switching oil the impulse device.

Figs. 3 and 4 show an embodiment where the connection and disconnection of the time impulses take place by means of a key I3. Each counter has its proper key, which the respective workman, on entering his department, pushes into the counter carrying his number and which he takes out on leaving. When the key is in, the counter receives time impulses and counts them. Should the key be taken away, the time impulses are switched on from the counter. In this manner time indication takes place in the counter only when the workman is present in his department.

The counters may exclusively count full periods of time. When the key is inserted at the beginning of work, the time will thus only be counted from and including the next-following period and when, at the end of work the key is taken out, the time will be counted up to and including the foregoing period.

- spring I8 held against a The key I0, Figs. 3 and 4, is at point a provided with teeth which, on the key being inserted, actuate the corresponding segment I I and moves said segment around the shaft I2 mounted in the frame of the apparatus (not shown). Segment II and member I3 are rigidly connected to the shaft I2 so that, on segment II being moved around, member I3 is also given the same movement. During its motion member I3 actuates the arm I5, which is movable round a shaft IB and is pressed against the member I3 by means of spring I1. Fig. 4 shows the position of the arm I5, key I0 being drawn out, i. e. the worker having marked that he is out and the counter having been cut from impulse giving, and Fig. 3 shows the position of the arm I5, the key being inserted, which indicates that the worker is in and that the counter is to receive time impulses and the time is to be recorded. The member I3 has a notch I4 and the arm I5 a protuberance I4 corresponding to said notch. Said protuberance and notch serve the purpose to lock the member I3 in the right position. The pawl 9, which is the driving member of the counter, is by means of pin I9 fixed to the strip 1 in the same position which it occupied before the arm I5 was readjusted by the key so that the pawl cannot mesh with the ratchet wheel 6. The spring I8 presses against the pawl 9 laterally of a line passing through the pivot 8 and the point of attachment of the sprin and maintains the pawl against the pin I9. A hook 20 on the arm I5, in this inserted key Fig. 3 position of the arm lies above an arm 2I fitted to the pawl 9.

On the impulse emission, when strip 1 is set into movement, said strip is arranged first to move downwardly far enough to cause the counter to advance one step, then upwardly past its starting position to the top position and thereafter downwardly to its starting position.

When the strip 1 moves downwardly (middle arrangement of Fig. 3) the pawl 9 does not mesh with the ratchet wheel and the impulse is not counted. Thereupon the strip moves upwardly. The arm M of the pawl is moved against the hook 20 on the arm I5, whereby the pawl 9 during the last part of the upward movement of the strip 1 is pushed forwardly and set in gearing position (topmost arrangement in Fig. 3) in which position the arm 2| is maintained against the pin I9 by the spring IS. The next time impulse and all the following impulses are now counted into the counter as long as the key remains.

When the workman leaves his department, he marks his being out. This is done by taking out the key I0, Fig. 4. The disc I3 is thereby actuated, turning the arm I5 downwardly until the notch 22 of disc I3 engages the protuberance I4 on the arm I5. A hook 23 on the arm I5 thereby actuates the pawl 9 so that said pawl disengages from the ratchet wheel 6, in which position it is maintained against the pin I9 by the spring I8, Consequently, upon movement of the strip 1, the counter will not advance until the key has been inserted anew.

Fig. 5 shows an embodiment where the connection and disconnection of the time impulses take place by means of a segment 24 fitted to each counter. This segment may be difierently c01- oured on its upper and lower sides, for example, blue on top and red below. The workman marks his being in by turning this segment downwardly, causing blue to appear, and his being out by turning the segment up, showin red. The arrangement consists of a segment 24 arrangedon a. shaft 25. By' means, of a-gear. segment 26 moveable about. a shaft 21, a segment I] and. adisc I3 are, operated inthe sameway as described above in connection with themanipulation with a key.

- Connection and disconnection of thetime impulses may also be arranged by using: the time recording cards of theworker in question so that on his stamping the time of arrival on: the card, the time impulses are simultaneously connected to his counter and, on his stamping out, the time impulses are switchedoif.

- This; embodiment. of the time register is provided with a so-called time stam for cards, so arranged that the type Wheels 101' Fig. 2 for the time stamping are placed in the recorder on the same shaft as the type wheels 90 Figs. I-2 for stamping the total. The time recordin cards 28, Fig.18, are provided in their lower left-hand corners with holes ment in one or several rows. These, holes may correspond to the number of the workman, work, machine, etc. The first row corresponds to tens digits and the second row to unit digits. If, for instance, the worker has the number 57, thefirst row contains 5 holes and the sec- 0nd, row 7' holes, If his number is 99, every row will contain 9 holes. In Fig. 6 the card 28 is partially inserted and the star-wheel engages the holes in the card whereas in Fig. 7 the card isinserted so far that theholes lie below the star-wheel and the latter'slides on the card and is thus held against rotation.

On the card funnel 3U fitted on the time stamp arranged in the time recorder is mounted a starwheel 31. which, through a shaft 32, as is'also .1

shownintFig. 8, being a side view of a detail of Fig. 7,. is rigidly attached to a ratchet wheel 33 which operates against a gear segment 34*. By means of a link 36 the segment 34 is connected to. a step segment 31. The step segment 31 is'fitted with steps 43, as shown in Fig. 9, which is a side View ofa detail of Fig. 7. These steps 43 correspond to the holes 29 in the recordingcards 28 and amount to the samenumber as thehighest number of holes 29 which can becontained in a row onthe recording card. The star-wheel 3| and ratchet wheel 33 are inserted in a lever 38- movable around a shaft 35 fastened in a suitable manner to the frame of the apparatus. Moreover, on the frame is arranged a stop pin 39 for is the lever 38. The lever 38 is also providedwith a spring 4!! which presses said lever 38 againstthe card funnel so that the star-Wheel 3| can mesh withrthe hole 29 of the recordingcard 28. The

step segment 31 is. provided with a spring 4| which, after acertain. workin process, is intended to restore the star-wheel 3|, gear segment 34- andjthe step segment 31 to their normal posi-' tions and there to maintain them against a stop pin. 42 fastened to' the frame. I

The arrangement as described above refersto a row of holes 29- in the card 28. If two rows of holes. exist on the card, the card funnel will be provided with two such arrangements for in-- stance, two segments Maud two segments31, and so on.

When the. recordingcard 28 is. pushed" down intothe card funnel 3B, the teeth of the star- Wheel 3|v meshwith the number-hole 2 9 of the card, causing the star-wheel 3| torevolva. By means of the ratchet-wheel 33* and the gear segment 34, the step segment 31 is thereby turned by the number of holes 29 inthe card 28, Fig. 7:, to a. predetermined position. For each. of the holes 29', which the star-Wheel 3| passes ,on the card, the step segment makes one. step; viz. one stage:.- Thus if five holes, exist in the hole row corresponding tothe stepsegment 31 in the card 28*, the step segment3l advances fivesteps corresponding to five stages 43. When the teeth of the star-wheel have passed all the holesintended for this wheel onthe card, the lever. 38, on account: of; the teeth of the star-wheel 3| gliding up on to the card, is pushed back against astoppin 39,. thus locking'the star-wheel 3| and also the gear segment 34.. The step segment 31; for every hole 29 in the card 28, now takes up a predetermined. position. On. the recording card being drawn. upwards. for removal from the card funnel, the star-wheel 3|, resumes mesh with the card hole and the star-wheels rotatein the opposite direction, whereby the gear segment 34 and stepsegment31' are restoredtonormal position where they. aremaintained. by a spring 4|, as the step segment 31: ispressed: against the fixed stop pin 42. The starting position corresponds to the brokenline in- Figs. 6 and '7.

For'transmitting. the movement to the counters a shaft 44, Fig. 1, is provided behind every vertical row of counters. Fig; 10 illustrates said transmitting mechanism. These shafts 44- are so arranged in front of every counter and equipped with anarm 45, Figs. 10 and 11, that upon stepby-step movement oftheshaftonly one of these arms 45 for each position can beset in connection with a counter. If ten counters are placed: one on top of the other ten arms are thus distributed spirally one above the other'so that, for each step made by the shaft, the arms 45 will, in their proper turn, mesh with their respective counters.

Further, the shafts are equipped below with a rigidly mounted gear 46 and a. freely running gear 41 held in its position by astop ring 48 on the: shaft 44. The gear 41 is further provided with a rigidlyattached arm 49. In front of the arm'49 existing on each of the shafts 44 isahorizontal strip50, Figs. 1 and 11, with, for every shaft. 44, protruding prongs 5|. The strip. 50, which thus stretches past all the shafts, is fas- 1 tened to a shaft 52, Figs. 1-11, arranged in the frame of the apparatus. The strip 56 is further fitted with alever 5|l| which can be set, in up and down motion by a cam onthe shaft NH in Fig. 1. It is understood that this motion also will swing theprongs-5l up and down. The arms 49 are so arranged that, on a simultaneous turning of the gears 41, Fig.1, but a single arm 49 at a time can gear into its corresponding prong 5| on the lever 50. ;The interrelationship between the gear 46. and shafts 44 is determined by a gear rack 53and the gears through a gear rack 5.4. The racks 53 and54, Figs. 10 and 11, are mounted in supports 2-|| carried by a bolt 2|2 fixed in the body 213 of the apparatus.

The step segments 31, Fig. 9, and those designated. 3,1 in Fig. 10, are identical, it being understood that for purposes of illustration only one step segment is shown in Fig- 9. These segments are adjusted as described above, when the recording card: 28 is inserted in the card funnel 30, whereby the number of holes 29 in each row individually, through the'star-wheels 3| and the gear segment 34, each actuate a step segment 31,- one for units and one for tens digits, and adjust these according to the workmans numben-the counters number--as indicated by the number of holes inthe recording card.

The; gear: rack 53 is pushed against the step segment 31:, arranged in front of it by means of an arm I80, Fig. 1, fastened to a shaft I82, which is geared in a link l8! fixed in the body of the apparatus. The arm I80 is through the shaft 182 fixed to another arm 83, which is provided with a roller I84, which runs on a curve, cylindershaped in a manner known per se, and which is fastened to the shaft Hit. The movement of the gear rack 53 stops on engaging the stage 43, which, through the adjustment of the step segment made by the recording card, has arrived in front of the rack. The movement of the rack 53 is transferred by the gear 46 to all the shafts 44, which turn with amovement corresponding to the extent of movement of the rack. The steps 43 of the step segment 3'! are in number equal to that of the arms 45 on each shaft, and the distances between the steps correspond to the movement of the rack in such a Way that, for every step, the arms 45 in their proper turn will come into engagement with the counters arranged one on top of the other along the shaft involved. By movement of the rack 53 towards the step on the step segment 37, all the shafts 44 will thus be adjusted so that, of the arms 45 on these shafts, one will be in gearing position with the corresponding counter. Preferably, the arrangement should be such that all these arms are in line so that should, for example, the seventh arm be adjusted on a shaft, the seventh arm of all the other shafts will be adjusted to gear with the correspondin counters.

The gear rack 54 in the manner above described, drives the gear 4'! existing on every shaft 44, so that these are set according to the position of the stop segment determined by the card. Thus the arm 49 on the gear 41 on a predetermined shaft 44 arrives in front of the corresponding prong on the lever 59.

The strip 50, which is movable around its shaft 52, Fig. 1, is now moved upwardly, whereby the prong 5i, Fig. 11, presses against the arm 49, which is adjusted for gearin with the prong, whereby its shaft 44 is pushed somewhat upwardly. The arm on this shaft, which was formerly set in gearin position with a corresponding counter, now operates the impulse receiving mechanism of this counter while all the other counters remain unactuated. When the lever 58 returns to the starting position, the shaft 44 is restored to normal position by a spring IE2, Fig. l, fitted on the shaft.

The upper part of Fig. 12 shows how this movement effects the connection and disconnection of the time impulses to the counters.

The counter is provided with a member 55 mounted on the shaft 55 and which can be driven round step-by-step by a ratchet wheel 51. The ratchet wheel is actuated by a driving pawl 58 fitted on an arm 55 which can swing to and fro around the shaft 55. The arm 59 is provided with a finger 55 and a spring M, which tend to move the arm 59 downwardly. Behind the counter is placed the aforesaid shaft 44 with the arms 45. When the shaft as previously described, has been so adjusted that it arrives beneath finger SD and the shaft is moved upwardly, it causes movement of the finger 55 of the arm 59, thus causing the ratchet wheel 57 to advance one step, whereby the disc 58 is turned. The arm 15 is also reset (see the arrangement of Fig. 12), which actuates the driving pawl 9 so that the time impulse device is switched on or off as described above in connection with the manipulation with a key.

In order to indicate the adjustment of the counter to the time impulse device, the arm l5 is provided with a semaphore I10 which, through a window I'H on the front part of the apparatus opposite the counters in question, indicates by different colours the positions in and out of the time impulse device.

As a rule, every factory, etc., has a so-called regular working time, that is, the work begins at a certain hour in the mornings and ends at a certain hour in the evenings, possibly with interruptions for rest periods. The time counted in the counters may as a rule comprise only the regular working hours. The workman may however arrive somewhat earlier at the commencement of work and immediately marks his presence in the apparatus. He may also remain in his department after the work has finished and mark his departure later.

To prevent time impulses being fed into the counters beyond the regular working hours, there is in each vertical row of counters a strip 6|, Fig. 3 (middle arrangement). This strip extends past all the counters arranged in a row one on top of the other and such a strip 6! is provided for each of the vertically arranged rows of counters contained in the apparatus. The strip 6| for each counter is provided with a catch 63 movable around a shaft 62 fitted in the strip 6|, which catch can mesh with the arm 15. The catch 63 is held by a spring 55, in its correct place against a stop pin 54 arranged on the strip 6|. At the end of the regular working time, the strip Si is moved downwardly whereby the catches 63 engage the arms i5 and turn them down. Hereby the driving pawls 9 of the counters are disconnected, preventing further feeding of the time impulses (see lower part of Fig. 3). The strip 6| now remains in its lower position until work begins again at a regular hour when it is then restored to its top position, whereby the arm I5 is released and rises towards its stop pin on-the disc 13, so that, if this is set in inner position by a key, segment or card, the catch 9 is released and the time impulses are counted in the counters.

The position of the strip 6| does not affect the possibility of the workman having any time to mark in the apparatus if he is in or out, that is, to switch on or off the impulse emission for his counter. However, the impulses are counted only in case the strip 6| has its upper position, viz., during regular working hours.

Outside of regular working hours, when the time impulses are normally fed into the counters, the time impulse feeding into the counter of the workman doing overtime is possible. In such a case a key 66 is inserted (see middle arrangement of Fig. 3) in the counter of the workman called upon to do work after regular working time. This key 66 pushes back the catch 53 so that, when the strip 6! is pulled downwardly, it does not engage the arm 15. The arm l5 thus maintains the position it had before the strip 6| was set in movement. Should the disc l3 now have its in position, time impulses are fed into the counter.

If the arm l5 (lower arrangement of Fig. 3) in its lower position is obstructed by the pulleddown strip BI and the catch 63, whereby the time impulses are disconnected on insertion of the key 66, the catch 63 is pushed back by the key 66. The arm I5 is thus released and, if the disc [3 (or 55 in Fig. 12) is in its in position, is pulled up by the spring I! to touch this disc. This causes releas of the catch 9, so that time impulses are fed into the counter (see middle arrangement Fig. 3).

When the work is interrupted'andthe worker leaves his place at theend of the regular working hours, he marks that he is out by removing the key I0, Fig. 3, or by pushing'his segment 24, Fig. 5, so that the time impulse'emission to his counter ceases. Should heneglect to do so, no time impulsesenter the counterybecause the strip SI at the ending of the regular working hours, as above described, switchesit ofi. If he neglectsto remove his key or respectively to actuate his segment, the disc I3 remains in the in position so thatwhen the disc, at the beginning of the next regular working period, returns to .its upper pe sition and arm I is released, said arm occupies a position enabling the catch!) to move into operating position whereby time impulses are fed into the counter even should the workman not be in;

To prevent this an arm 12, Figs. 3 and-4, has

been provided Which, through the shaft I2, is rigidly'connected to the disc I 3. Behind the arm 12 is a bar 51 running vertically past all the arms I2 pertaining to the counters which are placed vertically one over the other. The bar carries in frontof each of the arms I2 an arm'68 moveable up and down the bar. This movement is limited by a pin 69 fastened to thebar 61, which pin runs in a slot arrangedin the hub of the arm 68, the slot also preventing the arm 68 from turning on the bar. The arm 68 is held down by a spring II 1 towards the pin'69.

At any time during rest periodsor other nonregular working time'when the staff is absent, as a rule the bar 61, Fig. 5, is pressed down. The arm 68 then also presses the arm I2 downwardly which then sets the disc I3 in out position whereby also the gear segment II is turned so.

that the key I0, Fig. 3, is pushed out'or the segment 24, Fig. 5, is reset in out position. The

bar 6'! now returns to its upper position. Time:

impulses cannot 'be fed into the counters until the key ID has been re-insertedor the segment'24 has taken its inner position.

The counter for workman ordered to work overtime and thus have a so-called overtime key inserted may consequently not be switched off from the time impulse emission when the bar 67 moves downwardly. In order to prevent disconnection of these, the gear segment I-l, middle arrangement in Fig. 3, is provided with a projecting part 13 against which the overtime key 66 rests,preventing the gear segment ,II and'thus the disc I3 and the arm I2 from turning around their shaft l2. When the bar 67 is brought downwardly the arm 68 presses against the arm 12 and tends to turn it. The arm 12 together with gear segment II and the disc I3 is, however, locked by the overtime key 66 and may'not be reset. The arm 68 resting against the spring II is instead displaced on the bar, preventing the resetting of the disc I3. When the bar 61 returns to its upper position, the arm 68, by the pressure of the spring H, is restored to its starting position on the bar vIiI.

In an arrangement for connection and disconnection of the time impulses by means of the workmans time recording card, as described.

above, the apparatus may be arranged in the same manner so that, in the case of the recording being neglected, the disc 56, Fig. 12, is automatically reset to out position.

The counters in Fig. 1 are fastened to a bridle 82 movable around a shaft 83 fixed in the frame of, the apparatus. On each of the wheels in the counters is a catch 84, Fig. 15, situated so that f catch 84 meets a stop 85. The type'wheels are also equipped with gears 86 which can be moved to mesh with a'rack gear "81. Normally, the-gear and the rack 8'! do not mesh with one another. The rack'gears 8'] are intended to connect any of the counters with the recorder and extend from any of the'recorders'upwards above all the placed vertically counters, Figs. 1 and 2. If a counteris composed of several denominational type wheels, there is a rack gear "for every type wheel contained in the counter. Thusif the counter consists of four type wheels it will have four racks. These'four racks are common for all the counters placed "one above the other so that if, for instance, ten counters are placed one above the other only these four racks are required.

If the apparatus is to be extended to contain more counters than can possibly be built together vertically, several such vertically extended groups may be placed side-by side whereby every'group has its own racks. The racks are then interconnectedwhereby all the racks pertaining to'units wheels are interconnected separately, all the racks for tens number wheels separately,"and so forth. The interconnection can easily be effected by means of shafts "88, Fig. 2, which are equipped with gears 89 so arranged that'one shaft connects all the units racks "and units wheels of the apparatus, a second shaft connects all'the tens racks and tens wheels, etc. This arrangement ensures that all the'racks in, for instance, the units wheels will accompany one another, whereby their movement becomes identical. This applies also to the tens and hun'dredsdigit racks, etc.

The recorder consists of a group of type wheels 99, Figs. 1 and 2, corresponding to and as many in'number as the type wheels of the individual counters. The type wheels are equipped on one half of their circumferences with type 9| corresponding to the digits of the type wheels 3 and on their other half circumferences provided with gear segments 92. Each segment 92 is connected by means of the rack'gear 93 to a gear segment 94, the other side of which meshes with the rack 81. The type wheels 90, rack 93 and. gear segment 94 as well as the rack 81 are as many in *2 number as the type wheels in one counter.

To obtain connection with the gear segments a group of the rack gears 81 from the counters are therefore extended, as shown in Fig. 2.

The recorder is equipped with the card funnel 30, Fig. 1, intended to receive the form or card on which the time counted in the respective counter is to be recorded and with a recording hammer 95 moveable around a shaft 96 mounted in the frame and intended to press the card inserted in the funnel against the recording type wheels when the recording is to take place. The

,gear segments, each with its spring 91, are elastically connected with a lever arm 98 which can move around the shaft 96. The arm 98 is further equipped with a roll 99, which can be actuated by a cam disc I99 fixed to a shaft I III.

0n transmission of the sum in the counters to the recorder, that counter the sum on which is to be recorded, is geared with the rack gear 81 which, through the segment 94 and the rack 93, is connected to the type wheel 90.

This may partly be done by the counter in question having a push button I55, Fig. 19, with which the counter can be moved by hand towards the rack 81, or by the counter automatical- 1y gearing with the rack 81 on insertion of the recording card in the card funnel.

In the latter case the recording card 28, Figs. 6 and "I, is provided with holes 29 corresponding to the workmans number and the apparatus is arranged with the device previously described in connection with the in and out switching of the time impulses by means of a recording card whereby, through the shafts 44, Figs. 1, 10 and 11, the card adjusts the arm so that when the shaft 44 is pushed downwardly the arm 45 also pulls the bridle 82 downwardly. The bridle 82 in which the counter is fastened moves round a shaft 83 and thus presses the counter backwardly so that the counters are released from the tens transfer gears 5 and, further, so that the gear segments 65 of the type wheels mesh with the racks 81.

If the time register is motor driven it is fitted with one or more shafts supplied with one set of cam discs for each different operation in the register, e. g. one set of cam discs which will drive the strips 1, Fig. 3, for the impulse device, one set of cam discs for the movements required for the recording and so on.

The electric motor of the time register is con nected to the respective shafts by means of a coupling so arranged that only a single set of cams at a time can be set in motion, and, further, so that they can make only one revolution for each switching.

The electrically driven time register is so arranged that, when the recording is to take place and the recording card inserted in the funnel of the apparatus, the electric motor of the apparatus is started automatically at the same time as the register shaft, which is to be set in operation, is connected, the total amount in the counter involved is conveyed to the recorder, the counter is set in zero position and its sum total stamped on the card.

The card 23, Fig. 18, on which the accumulated time is recorded, is arranged in known manner so that, on the card being inserted in the card funnel and the recording taking place, a hole I43 is stamped in the card which hole at the next recording serves to establish the position of the card in the recorder so that the stamps are made in their proper turn, one underneath the other, at equal distances. At every new stamping a new hole I43 is made.

Moreover, the recorder is so arranged that when the sum from the counters is stamped on the card 23, the calender time is recorded simultaneously. Thus the exact time indication for the beginning of work as well as the time for its finish is obtained.

On card funnel 94, Figs. 16 and 17, of the apparatus is a strip I28, which below is angularly bent and mounted on a shaft I21 in the frame (not shown). On the strip I26, a strip I28 is moveably connected to the strip I26 by means of two studs I29 which move in their respective slots I38 on the strip I26. On the strip I28 is a further stud ISI. A lever arm I32 is arranged on a shaft 235 fastened to the frame. The arm I32 has in one end a slot I34 which actuates the pins I3! of the strip I23. The other end of the 12 lever arm is connected by means of a link I35 with an angle lever I36 arranged on a shaft I31 fastened to the frame. The angle lever I36 is furthermore equipped with a catch I39 moveable on a stud I38. A strip II9, Figs. 16, 17, is mounted to slide longitudinally. Two pairs of springs I20 are provided with electrical contacts for closing and breaking the electrical current for the motor of the register. The springs I20 tend to keep the strip H9 in its position to the right, in which position the electrical current for the motor is broken. An arm IIS, mounted on a shaft H2, is provided with a stop pin III, which can be actuated by catch I39. The arm H6 is moreover provided with a pin I I8, which meshes into a slot I2I in the strip H9 and further a finger I23 which meshes into a notch on disc $28. The disc E08, which is driven by means of a gear device from the motor of the register (not shown on the drawing), can connect the shaft It! which supports the cam discs necessary for the function of the register, said cam discs thus being set in motion and driven around one turn. This is obtained, the arm IIB being brought to the left, whereupon the finger I23 is brought out of its notch in the disc I08, connection of the shaft I6! thus being obtained and the disc beginning to revolve. The finger I23 is then brought upwards against the periphery of the disc against which it is kept pressed by means of spring II5 until the disc and with it the shaft IUI have been revolved one turn, after which the finger I23 again gears with its notch, disconnection thus taking place and the disc being locked into a position determined by the notch. Adjacent the strip I I9 and the point I44 of the catch I39 there is a roll I45 fastened in the body of the register, not shown in the drawing, by means of which roll the catch, on being brought to the left, is disengaged from the pin III of the arm H6.

For receiving electrical time impulses from a main clock and transmission of the impulses to the mechanism of the register in order to drive the type wheel for time-stamping, there is an electro-magnet I53, Fig. 16, provided with an armature I54, which can actuate an arm IIIi mounted on a shaft II2 The arm H6 is provided with a pin H8 which meshes into a slot I2 I 1 in the strip I I9 and further with a finger I23 gearing with a notch in the disc I98 The shaft I0 I supports the cam discs necessary for the time feeding, said cam discs being revolved on turn by each connection, similarly to the above described device.

The operation of the apparatus at the recording of the time accumulated is as-follows:

When the card 28, Fig. 18, is inserted in the card funnel 30, Figs. 1 and 6, the star wheels 3I are actuated by the number holes 29 existing in the cards corresponding to the workmans number whereby a counter is selected. Upon continued insertion of the card, the catch I48, Fig. 16, is pushed aside and, through the spring I40 and the finger I4I keeps the strip I26 away from the card funnel 94, so that the strip I26 turns around its shaft I21 and causes the strip I28 to approach the card funnel so that the pin I42 contacts the stamp ing card. If the card has not previously been stamped it goes down towards the stop formed below on the strip I28. Should the card already be stamped, the pin I42 penetrates the hole I43, Fig. 16, located by the immediately preceding stamp. Upon a continued insertion of the card it moves the strip I28 along with it, either due to its pressure against the stop below on the strip 2&48833283 I28, or by means of the pins I42, as far asthe studs I29jin-the slots; I allow. When the strip I28:tis brought downwardly, the stud I3,.I actuates. the lever arm I325, the movement of.which.isconveyed through the link I35.to the angle lever I36. Then the catch I39 is pulled to the left bringing withit the arm 5.. ThestriplI9issimultaneously; by means of the pin H8 in the arm H6; working inthe slot IZI brought to the leftwhereby through the motor contacts I29, the circuit for the electric motor is closed so that the motor starts operating. When the strip has reached its'left:

since the motor is now operating, the shaft' IOI? together-with the disc I 99 are'now beingrevolved.

The-.arm H6. is kept in its-position, the finger I23.

resting. against the periphery of the disc I98 and being kept in saidposition for one revolution.

On the shaft IIlI, Fig. 1-, cam discs: are so arranged that they. firstly actuate the gear racks 53. and 54 which. set the gears 46' and 41 so that when the shaft: is brought downwardly through arm 59, an arm clutches the bridle 82 on the counter the number-of which was set by means of..the-,card and maintains:the bridlein-the. downward position (lower counter, Fig. 1). Thus the counter wheels are releasedirom.thetens digit transmission andthe gear segments 86*, Fig. 5, of the type wheels are thrown into gear withthe racks 81: Upon continued movement of the shaft III] the lever. 98., is actuated andmadetoturn around=its shaft. 96.. This movement is transmitted throughthe springs 91 tothe gearyseg ments 94,- which pull-the gear racks 81- downwardly. The gear rims86, Fig. 5, ofthe indicator wheels are also actuatedand made to turnzuntil the heel'84" has-reached the-stop 85, when" the movement of the wheels and the gear racks 8! stops. This sets the indicator wheels of the counters involved into zero position. The rotary movement of the indicator wheels corresponds to the number of digits which the respective counter had in its starting position. The movement of the arm 98', Fig. 1, may continue further without the segments moving and the spring 91 will then extend. The movement of the corresponding rack gear dependent on the position of the indicator wheel involved is transferred by the segment 94 and rack 93 to the recording wheel 90, which turns through as many teeth as the corresponding indicator wheel in the counter. The type wheel 90 is thus set in such a manner that the same figure as shown by the indicator wheel in the counter before the re-setting on the type wheel, has now been set in recording position. During the movement of the shaft IIII the hammer 95, which can turn round the shaft 96, has also been removed under the influence of another cam disc I46 which operates towards a catch I41, from the type wheel 99, causing the spring I49 to be set. When the shaft IIlI has nearly completed one revolution and the recording wheels 99 have been adjusted, release of the hammer follows which by the set spring I49 is moved towards the recording wheels making one impression on the card inserted into the funnel.

The: counter; which has:zero position is restored;- to its 3 starting position, by the. shaft, 44 being, brought'upwardly sothat the arm 45 releases its.

connectionwith the bridle 82. which by the spring 5 I59is pulledrupwardly. The connection of the counters. With'the rack 87 is releasedand; the

counter takes." up its operating position. A new counting ofithe time impulses may thereafter fole low. immediately.

Uponcontinued movement of the cam disc I00.

thearm98iis released-i and brought back by the spring I 5l'whereby a: rod I52 fastened to the outer endof the arm is pressed against the gear segments 94, restoring. these and thus also the 15 gearrack 87 and the gear rack 93. as well as the type wheel-s98 to their-starting position.

The-shaft Illi, Fig. 1, makes only one revolu-.

tionbecause the finger I23-on the arm IIB after one-- revolution of the disc I98 will catch in'the 01, notch in the disc I68 which thus will be discon-- nected from the motor drive and locked in this position; When the arm H6, Fig. 16, wasreleased, and the finger 1'23 reentered the recess in the disc I 99, the strip H9 was also released,

25.. which, through the pressure from the contact springs I29, is pushed tothe right breaking the circuit and stopping the motor.

Hereinafter the recording card is removed from the cardfunnel', whereby the strip I28 and the fluicatch I 39 together with the devices connected hereto return to their starting position, as isalso the case with the gear segments 34 and the step segment 37; Ihe apparatus is now ready for the next recording.

Since the time impulse emission is controlled Icy-electric impulses emitted from a master clock at predetermined hours, for instance every minute, tenth part of an hour or half-hour, these actuate anelectromagnet E53, Fig. 21, in the time 'register; the armature I54 of this electro-magnet,

on being=attracted by the magnet, is pressed against the arm II 6 so that this latter turns around its shaft. Hereby the pin H8 in the other end of the arm actuates the strip I I9 closing 4'5 the-electric contacts I 29 and starting the motor.

Now follows, as was the case in the above description, connection of the shaft I6I which in its turn actuates the strips 81, Fig. 2, for the impuse emission to the counters etc., whereupon,

when the shaft IBI, Fig. 23, has made one revolution, the shaft is locked and the strip I I9 released enabling it to return to its starting position whereby the electric circuit over the contacts I20 breaks and the motor stops.

The electric motor for the drive of the time recording mechanism may naturally be replaced by electro-magnets, a mechanical clock movementor some other driving device.

Instead of the above described automatic device for the transmission of the total sum in the counters to the recorder a push-button I555, Fig. 19, may be arranged for every counter. Instead of a button, a loose key, different for every counter (workman), may be used. The button I55 is connected with a lever I56 moveable around an axis I57. When recording is to take place a recording card is intrcduced in the card funnel 33 and the button I55 pertaining to the counter the time indication of which is to be recorded, is

7 0 depressed. Release of the counting wheels from the tens number transmission follows and the gear 96 of the indicator wheels engages the rack gears 81. At the same time the counter is locked in this position by the catch I59. A handle I59 .on the lever I66 moveable around a centre I69 is depressed and the downward movement of the lever is transmitted through the springs 16! to the gear segments [82, which actuate the racks 21 and convey the values in the counter to the recorder 98. At the same time as the downward movement of the arm 160 over the handle I59 takes place the catch I63 acts against a cam I64 and the hammer 95 and makes it swing backwardly whereby the hammer spring M9 is set. When the catch [63 has passed the oblique cam 184 the hammer is released and recording follows. The arm 169, however, continues its downward movement until the strip 165, which is moveably connected at I58 to the arm I60, has reached a position where the groove 166 meets the arm 18'! on the catch I58, which is now conducted backwardly and releases the arm I56, causing the counter to be restored to its former position. The counter now occupies zero position and a new counting of the time impulses can follow immediately.

On release of the handle I59 the rack 81 is restored by the spring 110 to its starting position, causing its movement to be conveyed through the segment 162, to the rack 93 and the recording wheel 90, which thus takes zero position. The apparatus is thereupon ready for the next recording.

The embodiments shown in Figs. 3, and 12 illustrate how the time impulse emission to the counter is mechanically connected and disconnected by a key, segment or stamping card. Where coupling of the impulses is to be made from another place than that where the counters are placed, this may naturally be done by electric transmission in connection with the constructions shown.

I claim:

1. Time recording apparatus including a plurality of individual counters operable to register the time elapsed in the performance of different operations, time controlled means for imparting timing impulses to said counters, a common stamping device for recording elapsed times registered by said counters, a device for receiving record cards bearing perforations arranged to control the selection of the individual counters corresponding to said record cards, star wheels arranged to sense the number of such perforations upon insertion of each record card, means controlled by the amount of rotation of the star wheels for selecting the corresponding counter, a ratchet wheel for each counter and means for advancing said ratchet wheel one step upon each insertion of the record card corresponding to said counter, means controlled by the position of said ratchet wheel for alternately connecting and disconnecting said counter from said time controlled means upon successive insertions of the corresponding record card, gearing arranged to transmit the registrations of said counters to said common stamping device, means for connecting said counters selectively with said gearing, and means for actuating said gearing to transmit the se lected registration to said stamping device and simultaneously to restore the selected counter to zero registration.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1, and means responsive to alternate insertions of a card in said receiving device for initiating the connection of the corresponding counter with said gearing, for initiating the actuation of said gearing, and for operating said stamping device to record the registration upon said card.

CARL ERIK JEAN NILSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

